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Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between attachment style, social support, and psychological distress (i.e., depression and anxiety) during the COVID-19 lockdown of the third wave in Israel. Specifically, we examined whether social support mediates the well-documented relationship between attachment style and psychological distress. Methods: An online survey was administered from 3 January to 6 February, 2021, while a strict lockdown was in place. The sample included 288 Israelis ranging between the ages of 18–78, recruited by snowball sampling. Psychological distress was evaluated by Patients Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7); attachment style by the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR-36), and social support by the Multi-dimensional Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). A mediation model was applied with social support mediating the association between attachment style and depression and anxiety. Results: Significant correlations were found between attachment style and psychological distress, and between social support and psychological distress. Social support partially mediated the associations between attachment style and psychological distress (Depression: p < 0.001, confidence interval [CI] = 0.4018, 1.7468; Anxiety: p < 0.001, confidence interval [CI] = 0.0493, 0.9822). These results remained the same while controlling for age. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the secure attachment style serves as a protective factor against psychological distress and vice versa; insecure attachment style serves as a risk factor for developing psychological distress during a peak period of COVID-19. Nevertheless, social support played a central role in the association between attachment style and psychological distress, thus, individuals with an insecure attachment may thus be helped by offering them social support during a crisis, which in turn may increase their well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the relationship between attachment style and prolonged singlehood in the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel. As in many religious and collectivistic communities, great value is attached to the institution of marriage while singlehood is perceived as an unwanted phenomenon and inflicts suffering on ultra-Orthodox singles and on their families. Two hundred and fifty-nine singles, women and men, who define themselves as ultra-Orthodox responded to an online questionnaire about "Experiences in Close Relationships" and a personal details questionnaire. The dependent variable of the singlehood period was defined by three values: (1) "number of years of singlehood" (N = 259), (2) "number of years of dating" (N = 249), and (3) "number of partners dated" (N = 239). The end of the singlehood period by marriage was defined functionally as the engagement of the participant. Data was subjected to a Cox proportional hazards survival analysis. Results generally showed that avoidant and anxious attachment styles were negatively correlated with the odds of getting married. Results are discussed in the context of attachment theory and the capability of compromising during the process of match-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The study aimed at (a) gaining a better understanding of how fertility history (ART/spontaneous) is associated with life satisfaction among new fathers; and (b) identifying personal and interpersonal risk factors for lower satisfaction in life during the transition to fatherhood. Design:This cross-sectional study comprised 172 Israeli fathers (76 who became fathers following ART and 96 following spontaneous pregnancy), who completed a series of self-report questionnaires 5–18 months after the birth of their first child. Results:No differences were found in life satisfaction between fathers in the two fertility history groups. Regression analysis indicated that younger age and higher economic status, as well as lower attachment anxiety and avoidance and better marital relationship, were associated with a higher level of life satisfaction among new fathers. Conclusion:Although the life satisfaction of new fathers does not appear to be affected by their fertility history, it may be hampered by personal and interpersonal risk factors. These results have practical implications for professionals who come into contact with this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that both dispositional and experimentally enhanced attachment security facilitate compassion and altruism. Here we report findings from a laboratory experiment, replicated in two countries (Israel and the United States), testing the hypotheses that (a) increased security (accomplished through subliminal priming) fosters caregiving behavior toward a romantic partner who discloses a personal problem, and (b) this increased security overcomes barriers to responsiveness induced by mental depletion. We gathered data on participants' attachment insecurities, randomly assigned them to one of four mental depletion (yes, no) and priming (security, neutral) conditions, and coded their behavior in an interaction with their romantic partner who was disclosing a personal problem. Dispositional attachment insecurities and manipulated mental depletion adversely affected caregiving, but security priming overrode the detrimental effects of both mental depletion and attachment insecurity in both Israel and the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study pursued two questions: Why do people in Israel divorce, and what factors contribute to their mental health afterward? To answer these questions, we gave out a questionnaire assessing reasons for divorce to 56 Jewish Israeli couples 2 years after their breakup. The questionnaire yielded three clusters of explanations for divorce: an extramarital affair, problems inherent in the couple's relationship, and factors external to the couple's relationship. The assessment of factors contributing to mental health included reasons for the divorce, divorcées' emotional resources, factors within the divorce process, and demographic factors. Findings showed that mental health was poorer among individuals who were older, less educated, had an avoidant or anxious attachment style, feared intimacy, or perceived new relationships as threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the association between attachment orientation and relationships with physicians and nurses among Israeli patients with advanced cancer., Sample & Setting: 52 patients with advanced cancer during active oncologic treatment., Methods & Variables: Eligible patients who agreed to participate in the study completed the Experience in Close Relationships Scale, Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised, and a list of topics, which were defined by the research team as central and common to patients' coping., Results: A correlation was found between avoidant attachment orientation and working alliance with nurses. In addition, patients' attachment orientation was found to be correlated with the type of topics they chose to share with the staff., Implications for Nursing: Knowledge regarding the theoretical concepts of attachment orientation may assist nurses in providing tailored and beneficial communication patterns with patients.